Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31024, John Fisk, Navy R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy R.I.
Fisk, John
S.31024
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

6097
Massachusetts
John Fish
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Riggs of the Regt commanded by Col Richmond in the R.I. line for 20 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Feb 1833 and sent to Hon J Davis H of R
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 - 99.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 33. 33.33 $133.32
{ Revolutionary Claims Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book D Vol. 2 Page 31

No. 10.110
Mr. Fisk
Marion 3 Months Purch 17 Do
20
$66.66
alter
Map 5
Rigg
Richmond
Hon. J. Davis

BRIEF in the case of of Worcester
John Fiske of the County in the State of Mass, (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 Nov r , 1 — — Private Col. Richmond, Capt. Riggs   " 76 Nov r to — 2 — Marine Frigate Alfred, Paul Jones   Jany " 77 } — 1 — drafted Commander —   " Feby — — 1 — do Col. Brown, Capt. Whipple   " Fall — — 1 — do Same Officers   " 78 Jany — — 1 — do Same   " July — — 1 — do Same   " Winter — — 1 — do Same  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland and R.I.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? tradition & deposition's  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No Clergyman's Certificate 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

United States of America to wit Common Wealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss
On this fourth day of September AD 1832. Personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Probate within & for said County and a Court of Record now in Session in said County - John Fisk a resident of Northborough in the County aforesaid and Commonwealth aforesaid aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 viz that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as follows - This applicant says that he was born in Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1760 that his birth is recorded in that town that he lived in that town at the time he entered the service & since the Revolutionary war lived there until 1794 when he removed to Northborough in said County of Worcester and he has since resided in the town

lived there until 1794 when he removed to Westborough in said County of Worcester where he lived Seven years he then removed to Northborough where he has lived ever since and where he now lives -
And this applicant further says that in the year 1775 in the month November he enlisted as a private for one year in Capt Abimilek Riggs Company & in a Regiment commanded by Col. William Richmond a Regiment of Rhode Island State Troops raised for the defence of that State & of the United Colonies - and he served in said Corps un- till November 1776 when being honorably discharged. He soon afterwards entered as a marine on board the Frigate Alfred a vessel of War in the service of the United States & commanded by Paul Jones, Esquire. He entered on board said Frigate at a place called "Holmes hole". Soon afterwards we sailed on a cruise - We cruised off Halifax & took from the enemy seven prizes one of which was very valuable having on board Eleven thousand suits of clothes  stands of arms besides a quantity of arms  shooting & large Field Pieces - We arrived in Boston from said cruise in Jany 1777
And this applicant further says that in the year 1777 he

Thousands of names of forms of enlisting & bap Field Pieces - He arrived in Boston from said Cruise in Jany 1777 when he was discharged & went home And this applicant further says that in the month of February 1777 he was drafted as a soldier & private for one month to serve in the militia in the company of Capt Amos Whipple Company & Col Chas Brown's regiment - and he did serve accordingly was honorably dis- charged, the company was stationed during the month at Providence -
And this applicant further says that in the Autumn of 1777 he was again drafted as a private to serve another month in what was called "Spencer's Expe- -dition" when the British were in possession of Newport, in the same Company & Regiment and he did serve accordingly & was honorably discharged during this month the Regiment was stationed at Tiverton And this Applicant further says that in the month Jany 1778 he was again drafted as a private in said Company to serve another month & he did serve accordingly during this month he was stationed at Prov- -idence -
And this applicant further says that in July 1778

during his residence -
And this further says that in July 1778 he was again drafted to serve another month as a private in the same Company & Regiment in what was called "Sullivan's Expedition" against the British on Rhode Island & in the winter following he served another month in same company on an alarm this service was performed in Providence making in all five months that he served in the vicinity of Rhode Island - which together with twelve months in Col. Richmond's Regiment & Three months on board the Alfred make in all twenty months that he served. and he further says that he never had any written discharge nor has any evidence except the depositions herewith presented -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - John Fish
Sworn to the day & year aforesaid
Before Nathl Farny Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester

I John Davis of Worcester in the county of Worcester do certify that John Fiske of Northborough has been known to me ever since I was a child, that in my opinion he is 72 years of age, that I have often heard of his being in the service of the country and in my opinion full credit ought to be given to his statements under oath
John Davis
Member of Congress from the South District in the county of Worcester
10:110 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant has a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears that the Hon. John Davis Esq. who has signed the same is a resident in the town of Worcester a member of Congress from the South District in the county of Worcester, and one of the most respectable & honorable men in the district.
Nathl Stone Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester.
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the court of Probate in & for the county of Worcester in Massachusetts do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Fiske for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court of Probate this fourth day of September A.D. 1832.
Theophilus Wheeler Regr of said Probate court.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. John Fisk S.F. 31024
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  STATE.    CAPTAIN.  COLONEL.      Nov. 1775-  Nov. 1776  Pvt.  Abimelech Riggs  William Richmond  R.I.    Soon after  Jany 1777  Marine  on frigate Alfred under Paul Jones and captured seven prizes   Navy    Feb'y 1777  1 mo.  "  Amos Whipple  Chas Brown     Autumn 1777  1 mo  "  Amos Whipple  in same regt.     Jany 1778  1 mo  "  Amos Whipple  Same regt.     July 1778  1 mo  "  Amos Whipple  Same regt.     Following winter  1 mo.  "  Amos Whipple  Same regt.      Battles engaged in, in Genl's Spencer & Sullivan's Ex't to R.I.  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cumberland R.I. and until 1794  Date of application for pension, Sept. 4. 1832 His cl. was al.  Residence at date of application, Northborough, Worcester Co. Mass.  Age at date of application, b. in Cumberland R.I. in 1760.  Remarks: (

31024 Very INVALID.
1912 Mar 29 Test. to Eugene P. King. V. L. L.
File No. 31,024
John Fisk In Rev war
Act: June 1 st 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 10.110
John Fiske
Hon:
J. Davis

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Fisk which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no Certificate of the Hon. M c Davis XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Henry Alexander's Disposition

I Henry Alexander of Providence in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being now in the 76 th year of my age on oath do testify and say that in the Month of January AD 1776 I was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Capt Alexander Riggs & in the Regiment commanded by Col. Wm Richmond of Rhode Island State Troops raised for the defence of Rhode Island but afterwards taken into Continental pay - I served as a Sergeant in said company about three months when I was promoted & received an Ensigns Commission in the same company In this capacity I continued to serve until January 1777 the time for which the regiment was raised was out, and we were disbanded, having served a few days more a year And I the said Henry do further testify that I well remember John Fisk who is now present before me & who I believe now resides in Northborough in Massachusetts who was a private in said Company & Regiment at the time I joined it,

said John enlisted for a year & he continued to serve & do duty therein until his time ex- pired when he was honorably discharged , when the regiment was discharged. In the fall of 1876 we marched to Long Island in the State of New York where we had a skirmish with the enemy - Henry Alexander
Providence R.I.
In Providence August 23 d 1882.
Personally appeared before me the above named named Henry Alexander & made oath to the truth of the same - and I further certify that said deponent is well known to me & is a credible witness in the premises
Witness - Stephen Martin, Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations —
Providence ss. I William R Watson Clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for the county of Providence in said State hereby certify that Stephen Martin is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Providence in said county — That he is duly authorized to administer oaths and take depositions — That the signature above written purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Martin and that full faith and credit are due to the official attesta- tions of said Martin —
In Witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Provi- dence this 25 th day of August in the year 1832 —
W. R. Watson

John Brown's Deposition.

I Jesse Brown of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, being now 78 years of age, on oath do testify and say -
That John Fiske of Southborough in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, lived in the same neighborhood with me during the Revolution. I was knowing to his going on board of a Government Ship called the Alfred, commanded by Paul Jones. I think he returned in the Ship in the early part of the year of 1777 but am not positive as to the time he served. I was acquainted with a number of the hands that were on board the Ship at the same time -
Mr said John Fiske is now before me and I am positive as to his identity. -
Jesse Brown
Providence R.I.
In Cumberland August 24-1832
Personally appeared the above named Jesse Brown and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing  truth of the foregoing dispositions. And I further certify that said Jesse Brown is well known to me and is a credible witness in the premises -
Abel Babbitt Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence ss. I William R Watson Clerk of the court of Common Pleas within & for the county of Providence in said State, hereby certify that Alexander Ballou is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in said county - That he is duly authorized to administer oaths and take depositions and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of said Ballou - I further certify that the within written signature purporting to be his, is in the proper handwriting of said Ballou -
In Witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said court at Providence this 25 th day of August in the year 1832
W. R. Watson

William Ballou's Deposition

I William Ballou of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island so being now 76 years of age on oath do testify and say That in in the Month of February A.D. 1777 John Fiske of Northborough in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, and myself were drafted to be Soldiers to go to Providence R.I. in the company under the command of Captain Amos Whipple of said Cumberland and served one Month, some time in the Fall of 1777 he and myself were drafted and served as Soldiers one Month under said Amos Whipple in Green's Expedition. In the month of January 1778 we were drafted and served one month in Providence under the said Amos Whipple. In the month of July 1778 we were drafted and served one Month on Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition under the same Captain, and in the winter of 1778 or 1779 we were drafted and served one Month in Providence under the same Captain -
I am positive the said John Fiske served some with me in the same company with us all the forementioned terms -
I recollect there was an alarm in the Fall of 1778 and the said John Fiske was called out, and was absent in the service one Month or more - I am not positive as to the time, or the particular place he was called to, but think we were quartered in Warren a part of the time - I was with him, and Amos Whipple commanded the company - and was John Fiske, Lieutenant - I am well acquainted with the said John Fiske, he is now before me, and I am positive as to his identity, he lived in said Cumberland and a neighbor to me during the Revolution
William Ballou
Providence R.I.
In Cumberland August 24 th 1832
Personally appeared before me the above named William

Ballou and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with said William Ballou and that he is a credible witness in the premises
Heath Ballou Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations -
Providence ss. I William R Watson Clerk of the court of common Pleas as within and for the county of Providence in said State, hereby certify that Alexander Ballou above named, is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Cumberland in said county - That the said Ballou is duly authorized to administer oaths and take depositions - That the signature above written, purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Ballou - and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of said Ballou -
In Witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Providence this 25 th day of August in the year 1832 -
W. R. Watson

Health Department, City Hall. Providence Rhode Island. 24 V 1912
Dear Sir,
I suppose that Major John Fiske of Rhode Island, presumably of Cumberland, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. If your office has any record of his military history, I would like a copy. If there is a fee and you will notify me I will remit the amount.
Yours truly
Eugene P. King
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.